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Samsung evidently went back to the drawing board for its next pair of Galaxy Buds wireless earbuds.

Android Authority spotted some iconography in the latest leaked build of Samsung's upcoming One Ui 8.5 OS update that point to redesigned Galaxy Buds coming potentially in the near future. Specifically, an icon with the file name "list_ic_earbuds_buds4" can be found in the One UI 8.5 build, which shows an illustrated silhouette of a pair of earbuds that Samsung has not actually announced yet. For reference, the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro came out in summer of 2024, so a refresh might be in the cards soon.

SEE ALSO: Samsung TriFold phone: Everything we know

Anyway, the icon shows a wireless earbud with an AirPods-like stem (maintained from previous Galaxy Buds models), though the body of the earbud is angled differently from before. Interestingly, there's also what I assume to be a silicone ear tip, which is something the base Galaxy Buds 3 lacked. The Galaxy Buds Pro had those, so maybe Samsung is bringing some design parity to the next base model of Galaxy Buds.

Aside from that, there's very little to glean from this leak. There's no telling when the next Galaxy Buds will be announced or launched, though the existence of this iconography certainly suggests it's going to happen at some point.

Unfortunately, just like everything else, our love lives are at the mercy of algorithms. That's given rise to a cottage industry of dating coaches, forums, and self-proclaimed pickup artists all claiming to know the secret to "hacking dating app algorithms" and finding your soulmate — or at least clearing the goblins and trolls out of your queue.

Hacks for Hinge (and other dating apps) have exploded in popularity as people look for ways to game the app's algorithm to get better matches, and maybe even find a real connection. But some of the so-called tricks circulating right now are… well, kind of dumb.

SEE ALSO: All your Hinge questions, answered

Case in point: the viral "Hinge hack" for women recently covered by The Cut that promises to free hot men from "Rose Jail." (More on what that is below.) The method — credited to LA influencer and lawyer Eve Tilley-Coulson — is supposed to push attractive matches from Hinge's Standouts section into your Discover feed, where you'll see them more often.

What is the viral Hinge hack?

For the uninitiated, Standouts is a feature that Hinge introduced in 2020, curating a small selection of your "best potential matches" and refreshing every 24 hours. To like someone there, you need to use a Rose (Hinge's version of a Super Like). You get one free Rose every Sunday, or you can buy extras for $3.99 each. Users call it "Rose Jail" because you only have one chance per week to like one of the best options for you (according to Hinge's algorithm), or else you have to fork up cash.

However, the profiles in Standouts are grabbed from the same pool as the usual Discover feed, so users curated for the former on Monday may appear in the latter on Tuesday after the refresh.

Now, the hack itself is… complicated, to say the least. According to Tilley-Coulson, in a three-part series on TikTok, you have to delete your account and remake it exactly at noon on Sunday. Once you've rebuilt your profile with photos and prompts, you buy a $29.99 Superboost, which keeps your profile highly visible for 24 hours. Then, this is key: you don't touch the app during that time. For the next week, you reject everyone in both your Standouts and regular feed (it's unclear whether this also means people who've already liked you). Supposedly, this shows the app that you're active but picky, forcing it to serve you better matches.

And just like that — if the TikTok theory is to be believed — you'll be swimming in hot men.

"Hinge is a business. It thus uses all the data you give it about your 'type,' 'patterns' etc. to hide those individuals behind a paywall," Tilley-Coulson told Mashable over email. "Thus, the less information you give Hinge, the more control you have over the individuals you see and are able to match with."

"Hinge limits the people you see and can like without paying...so there is no success without paying something," Tilley-Coulson stated.

A Hinge spokesperson told Mashable that the app prioritizes quality over quantity, saying Hinge aims "for users to experience fewer, but more meaningful, potential matches that lead to real dates."

"With Hinge's algorithm, we leverage deep learning to understand daters on a deeper level and deliver more thoughtful recommendations," the spokesperson continued. "We show you who you are most likely to match with based on predicting mutual interest in each other." Recommendations are based on factors such as who meets your preferences, who meets your "dealbreakers" (preferences that are non-negotiable), and profiles that you like, skip, or match.

Don't waste $30 on this 'hack'

Wanting to game the algorithm to make an already miserable experience slightly better is completely understandable. In recent years, dating apps have become notorious for annoying users into buying in-app purchases. And if the goal here is simply to get a better batch of potential matches, you're better off just paying for one of Hinge's premium tiers — Hinge+ at $19.99 or HingeX at $24.99 for a week. At least then you get unlimited likes and access to all the filters (height, politics, education level, the works). If your goal is to rack up likes, you don't need to spend $30 on a Superboost and waste a week pretending to be ultra-selective.

Having written about dating app "hacks" before — and, embarrassingly, having been on and off these apps for the last decade (I can even be found on Tinder.com's homepage) — I can confidently say you don't need to waste your money trying gimmicks like this. At least when straight guys were "gaymaxxing" the algorithm (pretending to be gay) to get more likes, they didn't have to pay to look like tools.

Even buying a boost and not swiping, so the app can't gauge your preferences, is based on old Tinder hacks from years past.

Hinge's algorithm (and Tinder's and Bumble's, for that matter) isn't some impenetrable black box. A mix of factors determines how you're ranked in other people's queues.

It's well-known that new accounts with fresh numbers on new devices perform better, thanks to the "new user boost" (formerly known as the "noob boost") that these apps provide to hook you early. Thus, part of the hack involves creating a new account to receive the "bump" — and doing so on Sunday at noon, as data shows that activity peaks late in the weekend.

But that effect fades quickly — especially if you reuse an old number or device tied to a deleted account. The apps also use facial recognition to detect repeat users and are heavily influenced by location. From personal experience, I've found that creating an account in a new city nets far more likes than recreating one in a place I've lived before (and yes, I delete and remake my accounts often).

The origin of this hack stems from a common misunderstanding about how Hinge ranks user "attractiveness." The theory borrows from Tinder's old chess-style rating system — the idea that the more likes you get, the higher your internal score climbs, and the more the algorithm pairs you with other high scorers. That's why this hack focuses so heavily on maximizing likes: the logic goes that if the app sees you as more "desirable," it'll start freeing the hot guys from Rose Jail and dropping them into your regular queue.

That rating system has long been "old news," however, according to Tinder. Hinge's algorithm is based on a system of finding optimal pairs that money can't buy (like organ donations), its director of relationship science, Logan Ury, revealed in 2020. An example is, if you have 10 men and 10 women, and you ask one group to rank their top choices, try to match with their first choice. If they get rejected, move to their second choice, and so on, until no one wants to match anymore.

None of the hack's elements is revolutionary, and it also shouldn't cost you money. Could you argue that these dating apps are deliberately blocking your blessings, hiding their so-called "high-value" users to tank your self-esteem and push you toward paid boosts and subscriptions? Yeah, probably. Many people do so online. Are these hacks, for both men and women, just the end result of a situationship culture that's created a paradox of choice? Also, yeah, probably.

But everyone's experience on a dating app is different. Attractiveness is subjective, and what works for one person won't necessarily work for another. And as The Cut rightly points out, even for the women this hack supposedly "worked" for, getting to (and beyond) the first date is the real challenge. One that no $30 Super Boost is ever going to solve.

This article reflects the opinion of the writer.

UPDATE: Oct. 15, 2025, 4:44 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with comments from Tilley-Coulson.

SAVE $300: As of Oct. 14, get the Motorola Razr+ for $699.99, down from its usual price of $999.99. That's a discount of 30% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Motorola Razr+ $699.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $300   Get Deal

Looking to buy a new phone? How about going back in time and experiencing your flip phone era again? You can do that with the modern take on the Motorola Razr+, which you can get right now at Amazon for its lowest sale price yet. So if you're not sure you want an iPhone and Samsung's lineup isn't catching you, this is a great alernative.

As of Oct. 14, get the Motorola Razr+ for $699.99, down from its usual price of $999.99 That's $300 off and a discount of 30%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: I relived my high school days and used the Motorola Razr+ for a week

The 2025 Razr+ is a sleek device that boasts a compact flip design that's IP48 water resistant, has a titanium-reinforced hinge, and an internal and external display that might just change the way you use your phone. You can stay on the outside of your phone to text, make calls, and even take pictures before ever opening it up into what is essentially a "typical" smartphone. It does all this and more, and is especially snappy thanks to its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor.

With a 4000mAh battery it has all-day battery life with 45W TurboPower charging to top you back up when you're running low, so you don't have to sit around and wait for your phone to have enough juice for the day. And the glossy exterior is colorful with textured backing so it doesn't slip out of your fingers.

Mashable's RJ Andersen took the phone for a spin and awarded it a 4.3 out of 5, praising it for being "super convenient and pocket friendly" and appreciating its "upgraded external screen".

"For casual users — or diehard fans of foldable phones — it’s definitely worth considering. Retailing at $999 (and frequently on sale), it’s definitely a better phone than any of its predecessors, enough so that it feels like a worthy opponent to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5," wrote Andersen.

Pick up yours now if you're looking to either make a change to a new phone or upgrade your old Razr.

BMW’s most affordable crossover may not grab headlines like its larger, more powerful siblings, but it’s quietly one of the smartest buys in the luxury segment. It delivers the premium feel and driving dynamics BMW is known for, just in a more compact, efficient, and accessible package.

SAVE $100: The Bluetti Elite 30 v2 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $199 in select colorways, down from the standard price of $299. That's a 33% discount and the lowest we've ever seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 30 v2 $199 at Amazon
$299 Save $100   Get Deal

A portable power station is awesome in so many situations. It can keep your phone, laptop, and WiFi router going during a power outage at home. It's also a must-pack for camping trips. But it's a hard stretch to say a portable power station is a fun device. Sure, they're absolutely useful but they're box-shaped and come in black and greys. Bluetti, however, it changing the game and if you like fun colorways, check out this deal.

As of Oct. 14, the Bluetti Elite 30 v2 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $199 in select colorways including pink, green, and purple. That's down from the standard price of $299 which takes $100 off the normal price from the 33% discount. This is the lowest (and first) discount we've seen on this new model from Bluetti.

Some portable power stations are designed to keep big appliances going like a window AC or the refrigerator. Others, like the Bluetti Elite 30 v2, are perfect for smaller gadgets like your phone and laptop, providing 228Wh of capacity. And while the majority of portable power station are bland, Bluetti introduced great colorways with the Elite 30 v2.

SEE ALSO: The Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 just dropped to a record-low price at Amazon

This compact portable power station is easy to carry around the house or the campground since it weighs under 10 pounds and has a built-in handle. It comes with versatile port options including two AC outlets, two USB-C, and two USB-A.

In real-life scenarios, Bluetti says the 228Wh can keep a fan going for over 16 hours or recharge a phone 16 times. If you plan to use it at home during a power outage, it'll keep the WiFi router online for almost 15 hours.

While it's down to a all-time low price, snag the colorful Bluetti Elite 30 v2. It'll be perfect for winter storms and summer camping.

I'm fond of going to the theater and soaking up the big-screen experience, but there's also much to be said for staying in and enjoying a movie in the comfort of your own home. That's one of the reasons I subscribe to Netflix, as the streaming service offers a great catalog.

Mozilla Firefox receives major updates roughly every four weeks, giving the web browser a steady stream of bug fixes, new features, and security enhancements. Firefox 144 has now arrived with new options for tabs and profiles, a Google Lens shortcut, and other improvements.

SAVE $330: As of Oct. 14, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim cordless stick vacuum is on sale for $399.99 at Walmart. That matches its Black Friday price from 2024 and also beats the $429.99 sale price seen at Walmart's anti-Prime Big Deal Days sale last week.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V12 Detect Slim $399.99 at Walmart
$729.99 Save $330   Get Deal

After an October Prime Day filled with less-than-thrilling Dyson deals, Walmart is quietly going Black Friday mode — with the best Dyson vacuum for most people, at least. As of Oct. 14, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim is on sale for $399.99 at Walmart (and Dyson's website), matching record-low pricing from Black Friday 2024. Last week, during Walmart's anti-Prime Big Deal Days sale, this same vacuum was $429.99. Hey, $30 is $30.

The V12 Detect Slim's $399.99 sale price looks even sweeter when plopped next to the $349.99 sale price seen on the Dyson V8. Everyone thinks of the V8 as the go-to budget Dyson vac, but I'd argue that such a title is more deserved by the V12 Detect Slim when that negligible extra $50 gets you 150 Air Watts of suction power versus the V8's 115 AW, and of course, the laser. Dyson's green laser lights up more than the path ahead, like the LED bulb on a Shark stick vacuum does. The laser also lights up all of the invisible dust, pet dander, kitty litter, and hair that have accumulate without you noticing. I test new robot vacuums every single month, and use my V12 Detect Slim laser to check their work on every hard floor my apartment.

SEE ALSO: Will the laser-equipped Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai solve Dyson's robot vacuum problem?

Once you get over how quickly your floors get gross in between vacuum days, using the V12 Detect Slim legitimately turns into some weird adult version of a game — "just two more minutes," you say to the rest of your household who is begging you to stop vacuuming at 11 p.m. If any cordless vacuum cleaner is going to convince someone to buy a manual vacuum over a robot vacuum, it's this one.

The Dyson V12 Detect Slim is a joy to use past the laser. Weighing just over five pounds, it's the most lightweight stick vacuum I've ever tried, and is super easy to grab and zip around. It won't be the slimmest Dyson vacuum anymore when the new Dyson PencilVac comes out in 2026, but you can definitely expect the PencilVac to cost considerably more than this $399.99 sale price.

Therabody announced four new products on Oct. 14, and among them is the TheraFace Mask Glo. This is the brand's second foray into red light LED face masks, and it comes at a more affordable price point than the original TheraFace Mask.

Where to buy TheraFace Mask Glo TheraFace Mask Glo $379.99 at Therabody Shop Now TheraFace Mask Glo $379.99 at Nordstrom Shop Now

The TheraFace Mask Glo retails for $379.99 and is available now. It features 504 red, red plus infrared, and blue LED lights to target wrinkles, acne, and skin elasticity. Treatments range from four to 12 minutes, and you can choose if you want the full cycle or just specific light colors. When used regularly, the TheraFace Mask Glo should visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles, firm skin, and even skin texture in as little as eight weeks.

Choose your treatment to target different skin ailments. Credit: Therabody

In addition to LED light therapy, the mask has vibrating technology in the head strap for a gentle scalp massage. The original TheraFace Mask has vibrating plates on the face mask itself for a full head massage, so that's what you're missing out on in the more affordable version.

I tested the OG TheraFace Mask, and my big hold-up with it was its $650 price. So, I'm excited to see Therabody offer a more budget-friendly LED treatment without skimping on features. I saw improvements in my skin after using the TheraFace Mask, and it's still a staple in my skincare routine (I even gave it a Mashable Choice Award).

SEE ALSO: TheraFace PRO is the ultimate 'it girl' skincare tool

Therabody differs from other LED masks in its design. The mask is one solid sheet with only eye holes — Shark's CryoGlow and CurrentBody's Skin both have nose and mouth cutouts — so it targets the entire face. It's also totally cordless and doesn't require a remote. Instead, a button on the side of the mask triggers and controls the treatments.

Along with the TheraFace Mask Glo, Therabody introduced the Theragun Mini Plus, Theragun Sense (2nd Gen), and Theragun Prime (6th Gen). All of the new products are available now.

The release of Python 3.15.0 alpha 1 on GitHub marks the beginning of the official preview and testing phase for the next feature version of the language. This alpha release gives the first look at the new changes that will make the language faster and much easier to work with.

By now, you’ve probably heard that a portable power station is the new must-have item. Unlike plenty of new tech, power stations are, in fact, useful for almost every home. Essentially, they’re a large, reliable battery that’ll keep your gadgets and even appliances operating without standard wall power.

Portable power stations are great to take camping, on van adventures, out on content creator assignments, or to the worksite. If you live in an area that’s prone to power outages, a portable power station can keep your phone charged, your CPAP machine on while sleeping, and some can even power the refrigerator, so you won’t have to worry about food spoilage. 

Portable power stations come in tons of varieties. Some are great for camping, while others weigh hundreds of pounds, powering up an entire house, and really push the limit of what we could consider portable. The market has seen serious expansion in the last few years, and we have tons of great models to choose from these days, so you're allowed to be as picky as you’d like in terms of power provided, port options, and nice extras. Here are Mashable’s favorite portable power stations.

Gmail does its best to help you stay on top with calendar events, meetings, and other stuff. But the beauty of the AI age is that it can do a lot of things for you, even stuff that couldn't be automated before. Now, it will help you schedule meetings yourself, too.

Ten years on from its original release and several small revisions later, the NVIDIA Shield Android-powered streaming box is still a force to be reckoned with. I’m starting to wonder if the reason we haven’t seen a proper follow-up is because NVIDIA has done such a good job building and supporting these things.

TL;DR: Live stream Spain vs. Bulgaria in World Cup qualifiers for free on RTVE. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Spain have looked incredibly comfortable in World Cup qualification so far, winning three from three and conceding zero goals. Next up they face Bulgaria, a team that has yet to secure a single point. This could get messy.

If you want to watch Spain vs. Bulgaria in World Cup qualifiers for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Spain vs. Bulgaria?

Spain vs. Bulgaria in World Cup qualifiers kicks off at 7:45 p.m. BST on Oct. 14. This fixture takes place at the Estadio José Zorrilla.

How to watch Spain vs. Bulgaria for free

Spain vs. Bulgaria in World Cup qualifiers is available to live stream for free on RTVE.

RTVE is geo-restricted to Spain, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Spain, meaning you can access free live streams on RTVE from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Spain vs. Bulgaria for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Spain

4. Visit RTVE

5. Stream Spain vs. Bulgaria for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Spain vs. Bulgaria in World Cup qualifiers without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select World Cup qualifiers before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for RTVE?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTVE, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Spain

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Spain vs. Bulgaria in World Cup qualifiers for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $20: As of Oct. 14, get the Acer Wireless Gaming Headset for $29.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $49.99. That's a discount of 40%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Acer Wireless Gaming Headset $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal

Fall's gaming season is teeming with some great new games, like Battlefield 6 and the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. If you're planning on jumping in and running some games with your squad, you might want a gaming headset to communicate with. That's good, because you can get a great one from Acer right now at a very reasonable price.

As of Oct. 14, get the Acer Wireless Gaming Headset for $29.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $49.99. That's $20 off and a discount of 40%.

SEE ALSO: 'Battlefield 6' is nonsense in the best and worst ways

This headset is compatible with PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC, so you've got options if you play on multiple platforms. It connects via Bluetooth or with a dongle and boasts 100 hours of battery life so you don't get stuck speaking to the void in the middle of your most important moments.

It has 50mm drivers for boosted bass in your ears so you can enjoy every second of game music, bullets whizzing by your head, and the beautiful voices of all your buddies. Plus, it has a noise-cancelling mic so they can hear you, too.

It comes in a glossy red color, and it weighs 20% less than other headsets, according to Acer, so it should sit on your head comfortably for long sessions. Most importantly, it's affordable, so if you're looking for a good way to chat with teammates or just enjoy games quietly, this headset is a fantastic pick.

SAVE $410: The EcoFlow Delta 3 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $589, down from the standard price of $999. That's a major 41% discount and it comes with a free 45W solar panel which usually comes with a $79 price tag.

Opens in a new window Credit: EcoFlow EcoFlow Delta 3 portable power station $589 at Amazon
$999 Save $410 get a free 45W solar panel Get Deal

Storms are on the horizon, and if you work from home, a power outage is an issue. Instead of wondering how you'll stay online, snag a portable power station that'll keep all your essential electronics powered up. It's a great idea to buy one now before the storms arrive and we're in luck with a current deal.

As of Oct. 14, the EcoFlow Delta 3 portable power station is just $589 at Amazon, marked down from the usual price of $999. That works out to a savings of $410 from the major 41% discount. Not only is this the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon, it comes with a free 45W solar panel which usually comes with a $79 price tag, making this an even better deal.

EcoFlow makes great portable power stations and the Delta 3 is great option for powering up small devices at home during an outage. With 1,536Wh, you'll be in good shape for keeping laptops, phones, and the WiFi router online. EcoFlow mentions this power can keep a blender going for over an hour.

SEE ALSO: The Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 just dropped to a record-low price at Amazon

When it comes to working from home during a power outage, the EcoFlow Delta 3's 15 millisecond uninterrupted power supply means your WiFi router won't go offline. This can also be important for keeping a laptop on when working on an important project.

Today's sale price throws in a free 45W solar panel that'll help with recharging the Delta 3. While 45W isn't terribly powerful, free is free and this gives you access to free recharging.

Today's Amazon deal on the EcoFlow Delta 3 is a lightning deal with limited availability, so it's best to hop on this soon before it sells out. Since this is the best price we've ever seen, there's no reason to hesitate if you could use a portable power station. It'll be ideal for home use during storms and it's a great model for summer camping trips.

You can score a major discount on the excellent Beats iPhone 17 Kickstand Case today, dropping the price down to just $42 on Amazon. That's a strong 29% discount from the original listed price of $59.

Google’s AI image editor Nano Banana is breaking out of Gemini and heading across the company’s ecosystem. In a new blog post, Google announced that Nano Banana — the Gemini 2.5 Flash–powered image editing tool — is coming to Google Search, NotebookLM, and soon Photos.

SEE ALSO: 6 Google Gemini AI photo prompts to try

The feature, which lets users create or edit images with text prompts, has already generated more than 5 billion images since launching in August. Now, you’ll be able to open Google Lens in the Search app, tap "Create," and instantly transform your photos using AI. In NotebookLM, Nano Banana quietly works behind the scenes to enhance Video Overviews with new visual styles like watercolor and anime, plus a new “Brief” format for quick takeaways.

As Mashable reported earlier this month, Google has been testing Nano Banana’s integration into Search, Lens, and Circle to Search, signaling the company’s push to make AI-powered image tools a core part of how users explore and create.

Google says the rollout to Photos is coming "in the weeks ahead," so soon, your entire camera roll might get a taste of Nano Banana’s image-generating powers.

Apple has a new macOS beta to check out.

Specifically, the third developer beta for macOS Tahoe 26.1 has rolled out, complete with patch notes courtesy of Apple. You're probably wondering what's new in this beta, considering all of the Liquid Glass-level major changes that were made to all of Apple's operating systems with their most recent updates. The short answer is "not much," considering it's the first update after a major release, but let's dig into it anyway.

SEE ALSO: Apple sued, again, for allegedly using copyrighted material to train its AI What's new in macOS Tahoe 26.1 beta

For starters, Apple's official release notes don't give us much to go on. According to those, this beta is pretty much entirely dedicated to bug fixes. Still, various reports have emerged pointing to slightly bigger changes than just band-aids for glitches.

One example is that Apple has slightly altered the Macintosh HD desktop icon, again, per 9to5mac. Apple actually changed it when Liquid Glass dropped so it would look less like an old computer hard drive and more like a modern one, but users noticed a few things wrong with it. Namely, the perspective on it was odd, and it featured ports that you wouldn't see on a real hard drive. Apple's new icon hasn't really fixed the perspective issue, but the ports are gone, so that's nice, I suppose.

On a more granular, developer-centric note, 9to5Mac also reported that something called MCP might be coming to Apple devices soon, according to some code in the beta. In layman's terms, MCP is a protocol that allows for the use of agentic AI features. If this pans out, third-party AIs like ChatGPT could interface more directly with your Apple devices in the future. However, it's far too early to say how this will actually work.

Similarly, 9to5Mac also found evidence that Apple is planning to support third-party AI models in Image Playground, beyond the existing OpenAI support. Again, it's too early to say which models will be supported or how it will work, but code in the betas suggests it will happen.

Aside from those tidbits, there doesn't seem to be a lot happening in the macOS 26.1 beta on the user end. It may be more exciting for developers, but for regular folks, you might want to hold your enthusiasm until the next big update.

GET A FREE SOLAR GENERATOR: As of Oct. 14, when you purchase the Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 at Amazon on sale for $429 (reg. $799), you'll get a free Jackery Explorer 290 Plus portable power station. That's $370 in savings, plus a free solar generator worth $110.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 portable power station $429 at Amazon
$799 Save $370 + get free Jackery Explorer 290 Plus Get Deal

Portable energy is more accessible than ever, thanks to power stations like the Jackery Explorer 1000. Whether you want to power up a campsite off the grid or have a backup energy source in a power outage, these portable solar generators are safer and require less maintenance than the gasoline generators of the past. Not to mention, you can tote them around with ease. Jackery offers some of our favorite budget-friendly options and while supplies last, you can save hundreds of dollars on a top model and get a second solar generator for free. Here's the scoop.

As of Oct. 14, the Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 is on sale for $429 at Amazon. That's 46% or $370 off the list price of $799. As a bonus, Amazon will gift you the Jackery Explorer 290 Plus solar generator for free (a $110 value). In order to qualify, you need to add the Jackery Explorer 1000 to your cart from Amazon's promotional page. Once it's in your cart, click on the "benefit items" filter on the promo page and add the Jackery Explorer 290 Plus to your cart. From there, you should see the freebie reflected at checkout.

Once you proceed to checkout, you should see the promotion applied to your order total. Credit: Amazon

The Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 can power up multiple appliances with a 1,500W AC output and a 3,000W surge peak — AC units, coffee makers, fridges, air fryers, as well as your phone and laptop. It features two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, one DC car port, three pure sine wave AC ports, and LED lights on board, with a 1,070Wh capacity. And when you activate emergency charging mode in the companion app, it can go from zero to 100 percent battery in an hour flat (1.7 hours in default mode). It weighs less than 25 pounds and has a built-in handle to make carrying it around on camping trips or tailgates a breeze.

The free renewed Jackery Explorer 290 Plus weighs in at just 7 pounds and offers an even more portable power solution, albeit in a stripped down package. It offers one USB-C port, two USB-A ports, one DC cart port, and two pure sine wave AC ports. It can recharge itself and charge up to six other devices at the same time. It's small, but mighty. Between these two solar generators, you'll have plenty of portable energy to power up an entire weekend getaway.